Earlier this month, the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education partnered with Dr. Juanita Morris, of 4M Educational Services to host a professional development session centered around educator wellness.
“Our goal for the day is to spend the day with teachers and really talk about the courage and resilience that it takes to be an educator,” Sarah Smith, Professional Development Specialist at Macon-Piatt ROE said.
Educators in Macon-Piatt County gathered to take part in the full-day Courage & Resilience in Education session, making time to build relationships with their fellow colleagues. Educators were present from several schools in the region including St. Teresa, Johns Hill Magnet School, and others.
“Sometimes it can fill very siloed in your classroom, but this could be an opportunity for people maybe you do work with or someone you have never met before, and spend the day with them,” Carrie Hogue, Macon-Piatt said.
While many education workshops typically focus on learning standards, classroom management, and effectiveness in certain subject areas, this particular professional development day was about pouring into the educator, first.
“To have an impact on students, building culture, leadership, and many other components of education, we must start with creating an awareness of and within people,” Dr. Juanita Morris said. “Along the way in education, there is a thing that is missing, and part of what’s missing, is our ability to really focus on one another as whole and as being. So, this professional develop looks very different than normal or traditional professional development sessions.”
The day included an overview of trauma & resilience and its presence in education, an opportunity to spend some time reflecting on courage and resilience, an exercise in self-awareness using a personality quiz, and a presentation on the importance of mental wellness by Rise Together’s Anthony Alavardo and Nadine Machkovech.
“Teacher burn-out is real and I feel this training not only validated that it exists, but it also gave us tools to help us re-fill ourselves with that passion, courage and resiliency we try to instill in the students,” Becky Harman said. “The training, and the Circle of Courage, made me reflect on the changes I need to make in my classroom and teaching style to better serve the students.”
While some heavy topics were discussed, the session also included some light hearted and fun activities for educators to participate in. Such activities included a “What do you meme game, Let’s Paint with Liz, & lunch hour shopping with local vendors.
Educators usually are in positions where they put others first, sometimes sacrificing their own needs. With this session, event organizers were hopeful educators would leave the session, knowing they matter.
“This is one of those opportunities where we say we see you, and you matter,” Dr. Juanita Morris said.
Some of the responses from participants confirm that goal was accomplished.
“It was nice to remember that teachers need to take care of themselves,” one of the educators said.
Another educator felt the workshop not only helped strengthen the connection with his fellow colleagues but also created opportunities to connect with students.
“It’s a workshop to get a lot of tools to make our job more connected with our students,” Luis Peralta said. “I enjoyed learning about people’s struggles and their desire to be understood. Everyone should take this workshop.”
Below is the photo gallery of the Courage & Resilience professional development day.
